Memorial Day Weekend Outlook

Overall Warm Memorial Day Weekend Will Lift Demand for Summer Categories Rain Threatens Many Markets Throughout the Weekend

Memorial Day is Monday, May 25th, representing the unofficial start to the summer season. The extended holiday weekend typically brings a notable lift in demand for seasonal categories as consumers flock to beaches and pools, and gather for picnics and barbecues.

The run-up to Memorial Day Weekend will begin with warmer temperatures compared to last year and normal, trending cooler as the week progresses in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast regions. Cooler temperatures to both last year and normal will be focused in the Southwest, South Central, and Central Plains. For those in Canada, Victoria Day (May 18th) will trend much warmer than last year along the East and West Coasts, while the Prairies will be cooler.

Warmth will return to the East for the Memorial Day Weekend (Friday, May 22nd – Monday, May 25th). Most major population centers along the Atlantic seaboard will trend warmer than last year and normal, increasing demand for summer consumables such as suncare, bagged ice, and bottled water. Outdoor categories including bicycles, camping gear, and barbecues can also expect a lift in demand. Locations along the West Coast will also be warmer than normal, although cooler than the extreme warmth of last year. The Southwest and South Central regions will trend cooler than normal, but still warmer than last year, while the Central Plains will see cooler conditions to both last year and normal.

Rain is expected to threaten many markets throughout the country during the weekend. This includes the Western regions of the U.S., which continue to experience drought conditions. Light to moderate rain is likely throughout the Plains and upper Midwest, moving east towards the end of the holiday weekend. As we move through the heart of severe weather season, there is an increased threat for damaging wind, hail, and tornadoes, particularly in the Plains. Watch for your daily severe weather alerts and WeatherVue reports which provide conditions and impacts specific to your business.

For reference, Memorial Day in 2014 trended warmer than normal, with extreme warmth in the West.

The Pacific region had its warmest Memorial Day since 1995. LA was warmest since 2004.

Major markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast were warmer than normal, and much warmer than 2013.

The South Central region was cooler than normal. San Antonio was coolest in over 50 years.

Rainfall was also focused in the South Central region. Houston was wettest since 2006.

On this Memorial Day, we remember, thank, and salute all who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving.